Improving HIV Diagnosis, Treatment, and Viral Suppression in Mozambique
Highlights
- HIV continues to be a leading cause of death in Mozambique
- We are identifying and addressing weaknesses in public health facilities and systems
- These interventions have dramatically reduced patient wait times, among other results
HIV continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Mozambique, and the country has a long way to go to reach the 90:90:90 targets – 90 percent of HIV-positive people diagnosed, 90 percent of those diagnosed on treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment virally suppressed. Many of the treatment challenges are related to poor implementation of existing systems.
In Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Niassa provinces, Abt Associates – as a subcontractor to FHI 360 – implemented strategies to build the capacity of the Mozambique Ministry of Health (MOH) to intensify and sustain its response to the HIV epidemic.
We used our systematic approach for assessing, strengthening, and monitoring MOH capacity to implement key systems that have a direct impact on service delivery in 16 districts and 33 health facilities. Interventions included designing and implementing simple quality improvement action plans to address identified weaknesses in districts, and re-engineering patient flow, organizing patient records and introducing consultation appointment logbooks in health facilities.
Using this approach to target technical assistance and interventions with precision, Abt helped the MOH achieve fast, measurable results. Interventions at the district level improved District Health Offices’ adherence to MOH standards on planning, health information systems, finance, human resources management, logistics, health program management, and laboratory services in one year (Figure 1).
At the facility level, facility management and patient flow interventions significantly decreased patient waiting times for priority health services in just three months (Figure 2). These improvements will make an impact on the quality and usage of essential health services, helping improve HIV treatment enrollment and adherence.
Read more about CHASS-SMT:
Strengthening Mozambique’s District Health System to Improve Access and Quality of HIV Care and Treatment Services
Strengthening District Health System and HIV Service Delivery Outcomes in Mozambique: Findings from the CHASS-SMT Project
CHASS-SMT: Expanding and Improving HIV Care in Mozambique
World AIDS Day 2015: Abt Research and Partnerships Tackle HIV and AIDS